Peterborough Folk Singer-Songwriter Eve Pierce Builds Community Arts Hub Amid Pandemic-Driven Shift

When the world went quiet in 2020, 26‑year‑old Eve Pierce turned her bathtub into a stage and her ukulele into a lifeline.

Pierce began writing songs at age seven, drawing early inspiration from the Beatles and Taylor Swift. A decade later, she pursued musical theatre before returning to songwriting after high school in 2018.

With venues shuttered, Pierce wrote and practiced at home, livestreaming performances from her bathtub on Instagram. The modest feed kept her connected to a small, loyal audience. When restrictions eased, she appeared at Nova Arts’ variety show in Keene. While singing her original track “Pretending,” she felt a sudden shift in the room’s energy—a “special moment” that confirmed the power of live connection.

In 2021, she released the album Save the Bell Tower. The record blends loose drum patterns, ukulele chords, and fiddle, showcasing her folk roots while hinting at a future fusion of synth‑driven electronic sounds.

Pierce’s songwriting often channels Greek mythology. Tracks such as “Hades and Persephone” and “Zeus” use mythic characters to explore personal themes of love and trauma.

Beyond recording, she remains active in local theatre. In 2024 she founded The Dreamers Ensemble, a Peterborough‑based troupe that rehearses on a schedule designed for young people with day jobs. The ensemble’s current production is a gender‑swapped version of Hamlet titled Hamlet: A Ghost Story, slated to run August 21‑23 at the Park Theatre in Jaffrey.

Pierce also performs with the Celtic‑rock band Waking Finnegan and occasionally joins the folk‑punk group Names in Order. She works a day job at a local café, balancing commercial work with her creative pursuits.

Her commitment to community is a central theme of her career. Pierce says she “creates spaces for people” and that her eccentricity fuels her desire to build a supportive environment for emerging artists. She has responded to the roadblocks that impede others by establishing rehearsal spaces and flexible schedules.

Gordon Peery of Nelson, a frequent collaborator, notes that Pierce’s wide range of influences—from jazz and Broadway to contemporary pop—creates room for new arrangements and spontaneity. Peery says working with Pierce “makes him a better listener” and that she is “a nice force in the area.”

Peterborough, Ontario, had a population of 83,651 in the 2021 census and is known for its growing service sector and tourism industry. The city’s arts community has been expanding, and Pierce’s initiatives align with local efforts to nurture creative talent in a small‑town setting.

Pierce’s career trajectory illustrates how pandemic‑era constraints can catalyze new artistic directions. By combining songwriting, theatre direction, and community building, she has positioned herself as a key figure in Peterborough’s cultural landscape.

Her next steps include continuing to develop her music with electronic elements, expanding The Dreamers Ensemble’s repertoire, and maintaining her roles in Waking Finnegan and Names in Order. Her focus remains on sustaining a vibrant, inclusive arts community in Peterborough.